Cigarette filter



Sept. 10, 1963 w. HARRIS 3,103,221

CIGARETTE FILTER Filed April 6, 1960 United States Patent 3,103,221 CIGARETTE FILTER Walter Harris, 205 S. Kenmore Ave, Los Angeles, Calif. Filed Apr- 6, 1960, Ser. No. 20,380 4 Claims. (Cl. 131-10) The present invention relates to a cigarette and more particularly to the improvements in the construction of a cone shape-d device used 'for filtering out extraneous and harmful matters such as tars, nicotine, oils and dust from tobacco smoke.

Sincere efforts have been made by yours truly to incorporate the beforementioned cone constnrction into the mouth end of a cigarette in an improved manner that would be practical, efficient and inexpensive tor manufacture and use by the related industry and its users, with the result that I have conceived a relatively simple construct-ion and improved means for incorporation thereof.

The improvements employed in the before/mentioned cone shaped device are as such, wherein the operative capabilities of the cone device become enhanced and the improved construction of said cone deploys a greater array of preferred means for incorporating said cone device into the mouth end of a cigarette.

Briefly, this invention consists primarily of an incorporated construction of a hollow, near right circular cone, open at the apical and base portions, and disposed in the mouth end of the cigarette. The base portion of said cone is located relatively contiguous to the tobacco in the cigarette while the apical portion is located some little distance from the mouth. Suitable pervious filtering materials such as heretofore use-d in the art are provided at both ends of the cone device.

The operative properties and function of said cone device commensurate with the results in filtering tobacco smoke are explained as follows: As the smoke is drawn through the cigarette by the user, the smoke enters the base opening of the cone. The smoke then moves along the longitudinal centroidal axis of the cone and said smoke is simultaneously deflected off the inner converging walls as the smoke moves toward the small opening at the apical portion of said cone resulting in a tunnelling action, directed under pressure, which gradually increases the density of the smoke. The smoke becomes a concentrated mass upon reaching the small opening at the apical portion of the cone and it is in this state of concentration that the smoke reaches the filtering material under optimum conditions conducive to high and efficient filtration. EX- periments show definite improvements in the art of filtering out extraneous and harmiul matter in tobacco smoke.

Particular attention is directed to the improvements in the construction of the cone wherein the cone shape is incorporated into an adjoining sleeve or the like to form a solid construction with the same material used, as in a molded device, thus avoiding undesirable breaks in the highly vulnerable base peripheral portion of the cone and insuring an impervious seal which further restricts the directional passage of the smoke to and through the cone.

A suitable adhesive was employed in the prior art which proved to be rather sticky business and certainly vulnerable to breaks at the peripheral base portion seal at the sleeve used, should the cigarette container and its contents of cigarettes be mishandled.

Another important feature of this invention is the secure and rigid placement provided when said cone device is incorporated into the cigarette avoiding the use of wads of cotton or the like to support the above mentioned cone its desired position.

Another important teature of invention is a cone construction of the same continuity and rigid construction described previously which avoids unnecessary multiplicity of shape and lines wherein the construction of the cone is simplified considerably and hereinafter more fully described in the detailed description and claims when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing. The accompanying drawing illustrates the details of the various practical embodiments of this invention and the construction therein, but the details and the construction of said invention in the drawing are to be understood as illustrative only and as not defining the limits of the invention.

FIG. 1 is an enlarged cross section of a cigarette embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cut-away cross section embodying the present invention, with a view of a simplified cone construction.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cut-away cross section embodying the present invention, with a modified view of the cone construction.

FI21G. 4 is'an enlarged cross section of the line 4-4 of FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross section of the line 5-5 of FIG. 1.

151G. 6 is an enlarged cross section of the line 6-"6 of Fl 2.

FIFIG. 7 is an enlarged cross section of the line 7--7 of G. 3. In FIGSJ1-7, inclusive, the wrapper 1 of the cigarette is conventional and in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 the tobacco 2 within said wrapper is of the conventional form. But said tobacco does not completely fill the wrapper to the mouth end, leaving :the mouth end of said cigarette free of tobacco.

'In FIG. 1, into this tobacco free mouth end :Of the cigarette, is incorporated a continuous cylindrical sleeve 3 enclosing a hollow cone. I wish to point out that the base periphery of the cone is not detachedirom the cylindrical shaped sleeve 3 but is constructed in continuity, avoiding unnecessary breaks at this exceedingly vulnerable point.

I have found that mounting a separately constructed cone in the sleeve with the benefit of a suitable adhesive unavoidably sometimes dislodged the cone from its intended position causing a flaw in its intended function of directing the smoke Without any leakage of air at this point to the filtering material for the benefits of efiicient filtration. The incorporation of a frustrum ot a cone as described herein by its unique construction, illustrated in the drawing and denoted by So in FIG. 1, deters the possibility mentioned above.

The base '9 of the cone, being the size of the inner dimensions out the adjacent paper cylinder of the cone, is open to permit the entrance of tobacco smoke, passing through the small wad of cotton 4 which filters out dust particles and pieces of tobacco permitting tree and easy passage of smoke to and through the apical portion and opening 5 into the filtering material 7. The opening 5 may be between .005 and '.02 in diameter. As the smoke exits the opening 5 it has been densified or concentrated due to the specific construction of the cone and its converging walls and in this concentrated condition the smoke enters the filtering material under optimum conditions for efficient filtration. The length of the cone unit itself is that of .025 to .035" and may vary to shorter or longer lengths if so desired. The material of the cone and its united sleeve cylindrical Wall is that of paper, cardboard, Celluloid or plastic or any other suitable material for the purpose of constructing a cone for the specified purpose described herein.

I wishto point out that the wads of cotton used herein are mechanical filters and that any other filtering materials may be used in lieu of same.

The base 9' ot the cone is peripherally and hermeti- 3 oa'l'ly sealed with the use of a suitable adhesive in order that any leakage of air at this point is prevented.

A space 8 is provided which keeps the heavily laden tars and nictoine and other extraneous matters in the filtering material away from the mouth.

Note that wads of cotton used to support the cone in its erect position in the filter end of the cigarette is not necessary and that just a small and loosely packed wad of cotton, is all that is necessary for entnapping the tars and extraneous matter from the tobacco smoke.

In FIG. 2 a similar construction as to that of FIG. 1 is shown in the drawing with the exception of the incorporated cylindrical wall into which the cone is shaped from one piece of marterialand being a simplified construction so that the cylindrical, adjacent and built-in sleeve 3 is incorporated in a direct line to the contour and shape of the cone. Tlhis simplified construction avoids the multiplicity of lines and shape in the previous inverted appearance of the cone construction, saving a great deal of time and expense in the manufacturing process. Note that the base 9a of the cone is continuous and unbroken in construction and has the same advantages pointed out in the base of the cone in FIG. 1. All the other numerals in FIG. 2, when compared with the detailed description of FIG. 1, denote the same construction and operativeness described above.

In FIG. 3 is a modified version of the filter shown in FIG. ;1 and all the reference numerals are identical to those in FIG. 2. I wish to point out that the length of the attached and adjacent cylindrical wall 3 to the cone in FIGS. 1 and 2 and in FIG. 3 the wall 4 do not have to be a full length to the mouth end of the cigarette as illustrated in FIG. 3 in this drawing. As long as the cylindrical Wall overlaps sufliciently to serve as a wall which can readily support the cone securely and rigidly in the erect position intended tor it in the filter end of the cigarette. A suitable adhesive may be employed on the exterior side of the cylinder Wall to the paper or cardboard of the cigarette to insure this secure placement.

In FIG. 3 a sleeve 3 has been employed to strengthen the filter end of this cigarette, should a shorter cone unit as illustrated be used during the manufacture thereof.

I wish to point out that in each and every one of FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 the cylindrical Wall is united with that of the cone to shape an entire continual unit, unbroken by cuts or holes as to that of a unit which had been molded to a shape a whole unit described herein and may be made from paper, cardboard, Celluloid, plastic or any other suitable material to form such a cylindrical Wall with a built-in cone shaped therein.

In FIG. 2. the base 9a of the cone 6a, may be detached from the upper cylindrical sleeve as an alternate means of construction and a suitable adhesive may be employed to unite the separate wall and base of the cone together if so desired but it is most desirable to use the whole unit construction of wall and cone with the unbroken construction outlined herein.

The space provided in the prior art between the tobacco of the cigarette and the base portion of the cone is not utilized in this invention as it is unnecessary. This invention features the small wad of cotton being placed more to the inside of the hollow cone in order that the wad of cotton absorbs to the best advantage the tars and nicotine and other extraneous matters of the tobacco smoke as the smoke gradually densifies moving along the converging walls of the cone.

The above mentioned complete filter units in their entirety and combination of all the integral parts of said filter unit as hereinbefore described, in separation from the cigarette as a whole, becomes a cartridge which may be readily and easily incorporated into the filter area in the mouth end of the cigarette construction as herein- 4 and the providing of a suitable adhesive which, in the use of the above mentioned cartridge, would insure the peripheral and hermetical sealing of the base of the cone to the interior of the sleeve.

It must be understood that the filtering materials herein adverted to must be fitted loosely in their respective places of employment and particularly at the small openings at the apical portions of the cone described, since the operative capabilities of the cone described herein do not necessitate the use of tightly packed filter excipients commonly used in the art.

A suitable adhesive may be employed to the inside of the cones adjacent cylindrical wall construction or to the inside of the sleeve encasing said wall and cone, if applicable, in order that the filtering material placed at the apical portion of the cone remains in a stationary position after placement of said wad of cotton.

The foregoing detailed description sets forth the invention in its practical form, but is to be understood as fully commensurate with the appended claims.

Having thus fully described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A cigarette comprising:

a cylindrical wrapper;

a mass of tobacco occupying the wrapper and terminating short of one end of the wrapper;

a cylindrical reinforcing member telescoped into said one end of the wrapper and hermetically sealed to the wrapper;

a thin-walled frustum of a cone united with said cylindrical member in a fluid-tight manner for support thereby, said frustum of a cone being made from .a material to inhibit the passage of smoke through the material, said frustum of a cone having an open base end facing said mass of tobacco and having an apex end forming a thin-edged orifice between .005 and .020 inch in diameter whereby the frustum of the cone gradually contracts the smoke-entraining air stream from the tobacco with consequent increase in density of the entrained smoke; a first body of fibrous filter material disposed in said frustum of said cone and extending toward the apex for receiving the entrained smoke passing from the mass of tobacco through the frustum to provde a first filtering action during the increase in density of the entrained smoke; and

a second body of fibrous filter material in said cylindrical member immediately adjacent said orifice on the downstream side thereof providing numerous fine passages in the region in which the smoke-entraining air stream expands upon release from the orifice.

2. A cigarette as set forth in claim 1 in which said cylindrical member and said frustum of said cone are integral portions of a single member.

3. A cigarette as set forth in claim 1 in which said second filter materialsurrounds the thin-walled frustum of the cone in the annular space between the frustum of the cone and the surrounding cylindrical member to reinforce .and brace the frustum of the cone.

4. A cigarette comprising:

a cylindrical wrapper;

a mass of tobacco occupying the wrapper and terminating short of one end of the wrapper;

a cylindrical reinforcing member telescoped into said one end of the wrapper and hermetically sealed to the wrapper;

a thin-walled frustum of a cone united with said cylindrical member in a fluid-tight manner for support thereby, said frustum of said cone being made from a material to prevent entrained smoke from passing through the Walls of the frustum, said frustum of a cone being positioned inside the cylindrical member and surrounded by the cylindrical member throughout the axial length of the frustum of a cone, said 5 6 frustum of a cone having an open base end facing drical member immediately adjacent said orifice on said mass of tobacco and having an apex end formthe downstream side of the orifice providing numering a thin-edged orifice between .005 and .020 inch ous fine passages in the region in which the smokein diameter whereby the frustum of a cone contracts entraining air stream expands upon release from the the smoke-entraining air stream from the tobacco 5 orifice. with consequent increase in density of the entrained smoke, the base end of the frustum cone being spaced References Cited in the file of this Patelllt inwardiydfiriorri the crrresponding end of the surround- UNITED STATES PATENTS mg ey 1n ca mem er;

a first body of fibrous filter material disposed in the base 10 2 gmncke 512" end of the frustum of the cone and extending toward 2748777 B a 1956 the apex of the frustum on the upstream side of the 6 513 i g rs 1956 orifice at a position adjacent to the mass of tobacco 2796869 2 7' i 1957 for receiving the entrained smoke passing from the 2954773 L e a O t 1960 mass of tobacco through the frustum to provide a 5 2954778 1960 first filtering action during the increase in density of e c the entrained smoke; and FOREIGN PATENTS a second body of fibrous filter material inside said cylin- 5 59,1 15 Italy Man 15, 19757 

1. A CIGARETTE COMPRISING: A CYLINDRICAL WRAPPER; A MASS OF TOBACCO OCCUPYING THE WRAPPER AND TERMINATING SHORT OF ONE END OF THE WRAPPER; A CYLINDRICAL REINFORCING MEMBER TELESCOPED INTO SAID ONE END OF THE WRAPPER AND HERMETICALLY SEALED TO THE WRAPPER; A THIN-WALLED FRUSTUM OF A CONE UNITED WITH SAID CYLINDRICAL MEMBER IN A FLUID-TIGHT MANNER FOR SUPPORT THEREBY, SAID FRUSTUM OF A CONE BEING MADE FROM A MATERIAL TO INHIBIT THE PASSAGE OF SMOKE THROUGH THE MATERIAL, SAID FRUSTUM OF A CONE HAVING AN OPEN BASE END FACING SAID MASS OF TOBACCO AND HAVING AN APEX END FORMING A THIN-EDGED ORIFICE BETWEEN .005 AND .020 INCH IN DIAMETER WHEREBY THE FRUSTUM OF THE CONE GRADUALLY CONTRACTS THE SMOKE-ENTRAINING AIR STREAM FROM THE TOBACCO WITH CONSEQUENT INCREASE IN DENSITY OF THE ENTRAINED SMOKE; A FIRST BODY OF FIBROUS FILTER MATERIAL DISPOSED IN SAID FRUSTUM OF SAID CONE AND EXTENDING TOWARD THE APEX FOR RECEIVING THE ENTRAINED SMOKE PASSING FROM THE MASS OF TOBACCO THROUGH THE FRUSTUM TO PROVIDE A FIRST FILTERING ACTION DURING THE INCREASE IN DENSITY OF THE ENTRAINED SMOKE; AND A SECOND BODY OF FIBROUS FILTER MATERIAL IN SAID CYLINDRICAL MEMBER IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT SAID ORIFICE ON THE DOWNSTREAM SIDE THEREOF PROVIDING NUMEROUS FINE PASSAGES IN THE REGION IN WHICH THE SMOKE-ENTRAINING AIR STREAM EXPANDS UPON RELEASE FROM THE ORIFICE. 